Rapid Cognitive Deterioration in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a key symptom of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
• Understanding cognitive decline in PSP subtypes is crucial for prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cognitive deterioration in different PSP subtypes over one year.
• To identify factors influencing disease prognosis in PSP patients.

Main Methods:

• Neuropsychological testing and 1-year follow-up of 117 PSP patients (PSPNI cohort).
• Classification into PSP-Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS) and PSP-non-RS.
• Categorization into normal cognition (PSP-NC), mild cognitive impairment (PSP-MCI), and PSP-dementia.

Main Results:

• At baseline, 30.8% had dementia, 53.0% MCI, and 16.2% NC.
• PSP-RS patients exhibited more severe motor and cognitive deficits, with faster progression in MMSE and visuospatial function.
• Twenty-seven of 62 PSP-MCI patients converted to dementia; PSP-RS diagnosis was the strongest predictor (HR=2.993).

Conclusions:

• PSP-RS patients experience more severe cognitive impairment and a faster longitudinal decline compared to PSP-non-RS.
• The PSP-RS subtype is the most significant factor contributing to the conversion of MCI to dementia within a 1-year period.